Talk Desserty To Me is a tasty tour of sweet treats around town.
I’ve always had a bit of a fondness for sweets, dating back to childhood when I would ride my bike across several subdivisions to get a specific kind of black licorice, or put my vote in for Sanders when a family trip to the ice cream parlor was on the evening’s schedule. Even then, I knew there was a difference between ordinary dessert and something special.
My taste only got more refined as I got older, and today I would consider myself a bit of a snob concerning all the confections. And, also a bit obsessed. And that’s how we got here, with me writing a column on all things rich, sugary, and decadent around West Michigan.
Anyone who knows me knows that I can get my mind stuck on an idea and won’t rest until I fulfill the need. This happened a few weeks ago when it was hotter than blazes and I was on my own for the night’s meal, because the Mister was out of town gaming. At Chez B, we call this “fending for ourselves” or simply “fendy.” When you live with someone for 30-plus years, you do develop your own language!
Left to my own inclinations, I decided it was perfectly proper to have the ice cream sundae I’d been preoccupied with for weeks for dinner. And the only place in my mind that would satisfy that craving was Frosty Boy. I did not even remotely slow my roll, and ended up with a scoop of Michigan Pothole topped with Tennessee Toffee (both hard serve) topped with hot fudge topped with whipped cream. In a waffle bowl.
I drove home quickly, with the air conditioning blasting and my dish of deliciousness balanced on the passenger seat. It was as good as it sounds, and I had no regrets.
But let’s get back to Frosty Boy. For those who lived in the Creston neighborhood from the mid-80s until 2005, it was probably a fixture in their lives—and a sad day when they closed their doors. Thankfully, 10 years later, it was resurrected in the same location by a young couple who vowed to keep the old-school vibe alive, down to the iconic logo.
The best part is that they offer a huge variety. Like, standing there for 10 minutes deciding what you want while letting others go in front of you level of choices. It’s probably best to know what you want going in, but there’s often a new offering in hard and soft serve flavors, and also special theme weeks (recently Christmas in July and Shark Week). So, it’s easy to get tempted by something else. A lot of their ice cream is Michigan made, too, which just adds to the appeal for me.
Photo courtesy of Kurt Carlson.
They also have gluten-free, non-dairy, and vegan options, covering a lot of dietary needs! And guess what?! They have a canine following as well. Frosty Boy makes a special Pup Cup that comes in a mini waffle bowl with soft serve and a dog biscuit on top. Our friends who live in the neighborhood used to take their two girls, Daisy and Emma, every so often throughout the summer. They’ve both sadly crossed the Rainbow Bridge, but it still warms my heart to see old photos of them enjoying their own special treat.
It's easy to see why Frosty Boy won Revue’s 2026 Best of the West in the Ice Cream/Frozen Treats category. If you’ve never been, you need to go! They’re on the corner of Ann and Plainfield, and if there isn’t a spot in the lot, there’s usually plenty of street parking. They’re open seasonally from about mid-March to early October.
Following them on Instagram or Facebook is the best way to know what they’re up to, or you can check out their website for hours of operation and more.
